Monthly Archives: January 2017

Breathing is the rhythm of life. With our breath, we exchange energy with the universe. We open and receive, exhale and give. Our breath is the energetic exchange with the breath of the universe. This energetic exchange is the the foundation of life and the foundation of our qigong practice. 

In order to optimize this exchange, this dance of breath, our bodies need to be relaxed. In Wisdom Healing Qigong, we don’t focus on the breath, we relax deeply by focusing into our bodies with movement. That intentional focus and relaxation causes our breath to flow more deeply and then breath naturally flows with the movement. When we add sound to the movement, such as the Haola chant (all is well and getting better!), our breath becomes even deeper, our lungs open up and sing with the dance of our slow moving connection with the universe.

Our breath is made possible by plant life on this earth. During photosynthesis, plants produce oxygen. Plants are the only source of oxygen in our atmosphere. Of course, I learned this in grammar school, but as I just read this again, I was flabbergasted, I never really appreciated this fact! Good golly! No wonder we love plants so much, that we give flowers as a sign of love and appreciation, that we marvel at autumn leaves and get lost in the hug of a tree. I will go forth from this moment to even more appreciate and thank and sing praises of our beautiful gardens, forests, meadows, grasslands, prairies, deserts and the streams and lakes and rain fall that provide the water for sustenance of plant life. How much I’ve taken for granted, no more!

 

So breathing is a give and take rhythm with our universe, a reciprocity with nature. We take in the oxygen that plants produce during their photosynthesis, and we breathe out carbon dioxide that plants use in their respiration. Nature provides the model for reciprocity in the biological process of breathing in and breathing out. The rhythm of the breath, found in every life form as well as in every larger community in which living beings participate, provides a powerful model for human decisions and actions in every arena of life. By copying the rhythm of the breath, humans can learn from the wisdom of nature’s economy to revolutionize our relationships with one another and with the larger-than-human world (Journal of Sustainability Education). 

We too often think of ourselves as individual beings with our own thoughts, feelings, politics, struggles, challenges and loves. On a much deeper level, this reciprocity of breath with the universe connects us all intimately whether we like it or not. In these challenging political times, how do we use the reality of this oneness to work for the good of this planet and all life and energy herein? This is an essential question for our times. I suggest that to begin with, we revolutionize the relationship with our own heart, body and mind, contemplate our soul and spirit connection to the universe, the source energy, the energy field of love and go deeper into what we have in common with all life on this planet. From there, we can take action to protect this precious life and planet, that action originating from a place of love and connection deep within us. With each breath.

 

From concept to understanding…

I love Neil deGrasse Tyson. I have heard at various times in my life that we are made of stardust, but when Neil deGrasse Tyson explains it, I think, yeah, that makes sense. Conceptually, I get it. But it wasn’t until my Wisdom Healing Qigong retreat in October 2016 that I really got it–I embodied stardust and felt this to the depths of my mind, heart, soul, body and spirit. And that’s from Mingtong and his energetic transmission and teaching. Mingtong is the Neil deGrasse Tyson of energy work! During the retreat and often even now back in the “real world,” I feel the connection with the stars, with the universe, with divine energy–and I’m not afraid of impermanence, not afraid of death, not afraid…not always, but I know the possibility is there that I can live a fearless, soulful life every moment. Sometimes I don’t feel that embodiment, but I have faith, trust, belief that as I continue my practices and connect more consistently with the Chi Field and Source Energy, God, that I will come to an understanding deep within my being of who I am and my place in the evolution of hearts and souls on this planet Earth. I’m getting glimpses now after a few years of Qigong practice, and those glimpses are coming more and more often. Sometimes I can even use the word embodied and understand what that means. Yay!

So look out at our wonderful Milky Way, take a few moments to gather the stars into your minds and hearts. Connect with the absolute wonder of the universe each and every day. Imagine the light and energy in your hearts, souls and spirits. See the stars as your brothers and sisters (Brother Sun, Sister Moon, as St. Francis would say). Wonderful human beings, you are Stardust. You have come to this earth to bring light and hope to the evolution of humanity. Stand up. Shine. Vote. Take action for love, justice, and peace. And then, to Stardust you shall return, knowing the seeds you’ve planted on this earth will someday, and even right now this very moment, bear the fruit of truth, love, justice and peace. Haola. Aho. Aloha. Amen.